Abstract
Published data on the new carbon nanomaterial, graphene, are described systematically from the chemist's standpoint. The attention is focused on the chemical methods of the synthesis of graphene-like materials from various precursors: natural and expanded graphite, graphite oxide, graphite intercalation compounds, etc. Approaches to the chemical modification of the graphene plane by various reagents and routes for the preparation of colloidal dispersions of graphene are considered. The bibliography includes 220 references.